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Being away from you house at any time during winter can cause problems with your home’s plumbing and central heating system, especially when it’s so cold. To reduce the risk of burst pipes, here are a few tips.
Reducing the risk
Set your boiler’s timer to come on regularly for short periods. This will help to prevent frozen pipes.
Check that all your pipes and water storage tanks (if installed) are thoroughly lagged, especially in cooler areas like the loft. Insulate around and over tanks, not under. Lofts of course need insulating to save energy. Another tip is to open the hatch to warm the loft in cold weather, if you can bear it, which should also help to stop the pipes up there from freezing. Frost Stats switch on the heating system anytime if the temperature falls below a critical level. Always install if the boiler is located in an outhouse or garage.
What to do
Inspect your boiler’s water storage tanks from time to time. If there are any signs of corrosion or leaking, contact a reputable plumber. To avoid nasty surprises when you get the bill, confirm call-out charges and fees before booking a plumber.
And if you do find you have a leak, make sure you switch off the supply. We suggest you locate and label your main stopcock. This will be on the incoming mains water supply and is often under the kitchen sink. Check it’s working properly by turning it from fully open to fully closed and back again a couple of times (leave it half a turn from fully open once you’re done). Do this every six months or so.
Check your policy, you may need to notify your insurers if you are going to be away for an extended period.
